Media Releases and Articles

When David Merrick started working for Widden Stud in 1992, breeding legends such as Bletchingly and Marscay were ruling the roost, Paul Keating was Prime Minister, the Brisbane Broncos won their first premiership, Mabo was decided and we were watching shows like Acropolis Now. Mobile reception? “Crikey, we were lucky to get TV reception,” Merrick … READ MORE

Dear Breeder, Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) and Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders Association (HTBA) is writing to notify you of a case of Hendra Virus that has occurred in a horse in the Upper Hunter Valley. It is important to note that this case occurred on an isolated non-Thoroughbred farm, some 50 km from Scone. It is, … READ MORE

As we edge closer to the completion of the yearling sales and start contemplating the 2019 breeding season, I would like to point you to Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) and Aushorse’s recently released report titled Strategy Review 2019. This report outlines key initiatives undertaken in 2018 and looks at major issues we are trying to … READ MORE

Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) celebrated its centenary year with the announcement of the Basil Nolan Jnr scholarship at an event on the Gold Coast. More than 200 breeders and industry figures were present as TBA president Basil Nolan acknowledged the award that was created and funded by Aushorse, and named in honour of his late … READ MORE

Seventeen new Fast Track trainees began their journey into the world of thoroughbred breeding on Monday with the aim of building successful careers in the industry. Launched last year by Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) in collaboration with TAFE NSW in response to staffing shortages in the breeding sector, the Fast Track training program offers passionate … READ MORE

Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Award nominations are now open (Godolphin) The day after Winx won her final race, her long-time strappers Umut Odemislioglu and Candice Perisijn were back in the real world, mucking out the boxes of regular racehorses. Like the thousands who do what they do, they awoke at an hour closer to … READ MORE

As you may know Thoroughbred Breeders Australia successfully lobbied the Australian Government to introduce a matched thoroughbred research and development levy. This levy started in breeding season 2017 and in its first full year raised about $400,000, which is then matched dollar for dollar by the Australian Government. In addition, Thoroughbred Breeders Australia and Racing … READ MORE

Back in 2017 the federal government decided to scrap the 457 visas available to the thoroughbred industry: namely, those visas for the occupations of Horse Breeder and Horse Trainer. After extensive lobbying, the Horse Trainer visa was reinstated later that year, with Horse Breeder made available in 2018. However, when the Horse Breeder category was … READ MORE

Thoroughbred Breeders Australia’s traineeship program Fast Track is open for its second intake. The training scheme was launched last year as part of TBA’s commitment to find and educate the next generation of industry talent. The program works by finding young people who have a passion for horses and placing them with a respected farm … READ MORE

TBA Media Release Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) is deeply saddened by the tragic death of Basil Nolan Jr of Raheen Stud. TBA chief executive Tom Reilly said everybody who knew Basil would be mourning his loss. “On behalf of the directors and staff of TBA we extend our deepest sympathies to the Nolan family. “Basil … READ MORE

TBA Media Release Prime Minister Scott Morrison has backed the thoroughbred breeding industry, declaring horse racing a crucial part of Australian culture. Mr Morrison was joined by MPs from all sides of politics at Parliament House in Canberra to rally behind the industry in an event organised by Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) and the Parliamentary … READ MORE

As we edge closer to the completion of the yearling sales and start contemplating the 2018 breeding season, I would like to point you to Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) and Aushorse’s recently released report titled Strategy Review 2018. This report outlines key initiatives undertaken in 2017 and looks at major issues we are trying to … READ MORE

In an exciting announcement for the Australian Thoroughbred breeding industry, a call for initial research project ideas, to be funded by new research & development levy, was made this week… AgriFutures Australia is looking to fund research that will support the profitability and sustainability of Australia’s world-leading thoroughbred industry. AgriFutures Australia has released an Interim … READ MORE

The Federal Government’s announcement regarding enhanced access to ‘Horse Breeder’ visas today is warmly welcomed by Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA). The decision follows a lobbying campaign led by TBA to put the ‘Horse Breeder’ occupation category on the medium and long term strategic skills list (MTSSL) for the purposes of 457 visas. By putting ‘Horse … READ MORE

Thoroughbred breeding plays a vital role in the rural economy and Australian society: that was the message echoed by Federal Government ministers and senior politicians at an event in Canberra last night. Defence Minister Marise Payne and Leader of the Opposition Bill Shorten traded stories of their interest in breeding and racing, while training identities … READ MORE

The Australian breeding industry celebrated its best and brightest today (Sunday August 27) with five prestigious awards handed out at a ceremony held in conjunction with Coolmore Australia’s annual stallion parade. The event, hosted by Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA), recognised the outstanding achievements of horses and breeders during the 2016-17 season. Securing the coveted Champion … READ MORE

Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) welcomes changes to the skilled migration occupation list that benefit the breeding industry, announced by the federal government today. A significant alteration to the visa scheme is the reinstatement of the occupation ‘horse trainer’ to the list of occupations under which employers can hire skilled workers from overseas. This occupation category … READ MORE

The newly-formed Thoroughbred Advisory Panel will meet for the first time on 28 June 2017 and host a forum with industry and researchers to discuss research and development (R&D) opportunities for the Australian Thoroughbred industry. The establishment of the advisory panel follows the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Barnaby Joyce’s … READ MORE

TBV’s Executive Officer Patrick Clancy will soon take up a national role with Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA), while still maintaining his position at TBV. The new position will see him work between the two organisations from his base at the TBV office in Flemington. The focus of Patrick’s new role as TBA’s Director of Policy … READ MORE

Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) is pleased to announce it will contribute $200,000 to fund research and development for the breeding industry. The money will be placed into a newly created thoroughbred R&D levy scheme and will be matched by the federal government when spent. By making the substantial donation, TBA will enable research projects to … READ MORE

Federal Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce has said the government is committed to supporting the thoroughbred breeding industry. Mr Joyce, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, was speaking at an announcement to confirm the approval of government funds for an industry led research and development levy. “The breeding and racing industry is something that is very … READ MORE

As buyers gathered for the final day of inspections ahead of the Inglis Australian Easter sale, the NSW state government minister Niall Blair was among those viewing the horses on offer. Mr Blair, who is minister for primary industries as well as trade and industry, was hosted by Aushorse and Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) during … READ MORE

They have helped to transform a stable foreman into a G1 trainer; they’ve helped old racehorses find new homes; and they’ve given strength and encouragement to the thousands who perform everyday work in stables and on studs across Australia. In 2017, the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards will again recognise those whose efforts go … READ MORE

Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) has formally lodged an application for a federal government funded thoroughbred research and development levy. The levy, which will generate close to $2.4 million over the next three years for research and development projects, is set to be implemented in the new financial year. It will be funded by mandatory breeder … READ MORE

Thoroughbred Breeders Australia

Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) is the national peak body established for the benefit of the Australian thoroughbred breeding industry. TBA, a not-for-profit organisation, has a membership base of 3,800 individual breeders and other industry participants, and is also the parent company of the six state breeders’ associations.